Israel Active

Jewish and non-Jewish men, women and children from more than 30 countries gathered in solidarity to march in Jerusalem’s annual Succot Parade. Thousands also visited the succa (booth) of President Peres, which featured colorful carpets, unusual fruit, flower and vegetable displays.

Immediately following Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) when Jews celebrate the completion and re-starting of the weekly Synagogue reading of the Torah. During and after the festival, Israelis took to the streets to celebrate with dancing and music.

Efraim Inbar, Professor of political studies at Bar-Ilan University, writes about security, economy, society, democracy and international relations and concludes, “At age sixty-five, Israel is a great success story, and if it can continue to inculcate the Zionist ethos into new generations, its future looks bright.”

(Thanks to Israel21c and Hebrew U) The world is losing its coral reefs due to vital algae being expelled when water temperatures rise. However a “warm-water barrier” at the southern Red Sea, allows in only heat-tolerant genotypes of corals to the Gulf of Eilat.

Over 5,000 Christian pilgrims from around 100 nations will take part in the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem's (ICEJ) annual Feast of Tabernacles this week. The festival is the largest annual tourist event in Israel.

Sukkot / Tabernacles is the most inclusive of Jewish festivals. The Sukkah (booth) itself can be of infinite width, in order to accommodate as many people who wish to celebrate. And in Israel, the last time we saw more representations from nations of the world, was in King Solomon’s time.

In summer excavations 50 meters from Temple Mount, Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar discovered 36 gold Byzantine coins, jewelry, and a 7th century gold medallion depicting a menorah (Temple candelabrum), a shofar (ram’s horn) and a Torah scroll. As Dr Mazar says “At Rosh Hashana, it’s the best gift we could get”.

Excavations by Tel Aviv University archaeologists in Israel’s Arava desert reveal that copper mines in Israel (previously thought to have been built by the ancient Egyptians in the 13th century BCE) actually originated three centuries later, during the reign of King Solomon.

Member of Knesset Rabbi Dov Lipman seems to have a positive outlook for Israel’s internal issues. He highlights initiatives for Haredi army service and employment, support for Jewish values and education, building of low-cost housing, hi-tech high schools and electoral reforms.

Winner of the Blankfeld Award for Media Critique is Sri Lankan-born, Dutch student Timon Dias. He started defending Israel when he realized that one side had always rejected peace and that the conflict was not about territory but about ideology.